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Time has come to contemplate libertarian answers

May 25, 2010

Why can’t every state have

governors like Gary Johnson? Although a Republican, as governor of New Mexico from 1995-2003, he vetoed 750 bills, not including hundreds of line-item cuts in the state budget. He also advocated decriminalizing marijuana.

Johnson has returned to politics with a new group, the Our America Initiative. The group’s slogan, from the Beatles song “Revolution”: “You say you want a revolution?”

The group’s website says its mission is, “We look to enlighten the population about civil liberties, free enterprise, limited government and traditional American values.”

Given that he also has been traveling to New Hampshire, site of the first 2012 presidential primary, we wonder whether the Our America Initiative is a springboard for a potential presidential bid.

Johnson said that because his group is a 501 (c) (4) committee for nonprofit tax purposes, “I can’t express a desire to run for federal office.” Such groups commonly are used to give a potential candidate a soapbox to test whether his ideas resonate.

Johnson added that, for those seeking the presidency, the time to start a Political Action Committee is next Jan. 1.

Given his background as a deficit hawk in the governor’s office, he said he’s especially concerned about the federal budget deficit and many state budget deficits. This year’s budget federal deficit is expected to be $1.6 trillion.

“Forty-three cents of every dollar spent in the federal budget is borrowed,” he said.

Johnson said New Mexico’s government employee pension funds are in bad shape. During his time in office, he said he worked hard to switch the pension funds. The existing plan was “defined benefit,” meaning the taxpayers are on the hook for the full cost of the pensions, even if bad investments are made. He tried to bring in defined contribution plans, much like 401(k) plans. But the New Mexico Legislature would not go along.

Now, New Mexico’s pension funds are $20 billion in the red, in a state of 1.8 million people; or a burden of $11,111 for every New Mexican.